Hinge for sofa-beds.



No. 744,839. PATENTED NOV. 24, 1903. T. G. WEYER.

HINGE FOR SOFA BEDS.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR. 27. 1903.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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' ATENT triers.

THEODORE G. WEYER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO S. KARJPEN & BROS,OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

HINGE FOR sora eeoe.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 744,839, dated November24, 1903. Application filed March 27, 1903. $erial No. 149,881- (NomodeL) To It whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THEODORE G. VVEYER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illi nois, haveinvented anew and useful Hinge for Sofa-Beds, 630., of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in sofa-beds, and moreparticularly to the hinges 1o employed therein, although, as will beobvinus/[he improved hinge may be employed in other relations than thatshown.

The principle of the improved hinge as well as its mainly intendedapplication and operation will be found fully set forth in United Statespatent to Weyer, No. 624,591, dated May 9, 1899. The patent mentionedillustrates and describes a sofa-bed comprising back and seat sections,the two being hinged together at their meeting edges, and a boxseclionconstituting a base, a support for the seat-section, and also areceptacle for bedding, etc; The back and seat sections are capable ofswinginginto a common horizontal plane, as when the article is used as abed, or at substantially a rightangle, as when employed as a sofa, allby a proper manipulation of the seat-section.

The main objects of my present invention are to improve upon theconstruction of hinge referred to by simplifying, strengthening, andcheapening the same as well as rendering its application easier, toprovide suitable stops on the hinge-leaves, and, finally, to provide animproved automatic means for securely locking and unlocking the leavesthereof, and consequently the back and seat sections when the sameoccupy certain relative positions to which they may be brought by amanipu- 1,0 lation of the seat-section by a person standing in front ofthe sofa, and, furthermore, to improve the sofa-bed frame by providingthe same at its back with a pair of gates preferably designed when open,as when in bed form, to form counterparts of the sides of the sofa-frameand combine therewith to produce head and foot sections of the bed; toadapt said gates when open to form supports for the back-section whenlowered into bed form; to provide means for automatically closing saidgates and locking the same when said 'baok-section is raised, and,finally, to provide means for automatically opening said gates through amanipulation of the seat and without the necessity of a person operatingthe same going behind the sofa for this purose.

p Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear,and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in theclaims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a View of my improved sofa-bedwith one side or end removed, the back and seat sections being shown inelevation and the base or box in vertical transverse section. Fig. 2 isadetail in elevation of my improved hinge, the parts being in theposition occupied when said hinge is open and the sofa converted to abed. Fig. 2 is a detail hereinafter referred to. Fig. 3 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 2, the hinge being shown in the position it occupieswhen the back of the sofa is elevated and the hinge locked. Fig. 4 is asimilar view, the hinge being in the position it occupies when the backhas been lowered and the seat raised to its highest position.

Similar numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout thedrawings.

The sofa-bed in the present instance, as heretofore, comprises the usualbase, which is preferably formed by a receptacle or box 1, from theopposite ends of which may rise the sides 2, the same being given anydesign desired and best adapted for the purpose. These sides may beconnected at suitable points by cross pieces 3 in order to lend properrigidity to the frame as a whole.

In the present instance 4 designates the usual seat frame or section,which is mounted upon and supported by the bOX or base, and 5 designatesthe back frame or section, it being understood that these sections orframes are suitably upholstered to constitute, when lowered to a commonhorizontal plane, acomfortable bed having, substantially, an unbrokenmattress or bed surface.

In the class of sofas referred to and in connection with this class ofhinges it is usual to employ and secure to the base-section or too box1, at each end thereof, a standard 7,which extends upwardly above and toone side of said box-section to a point between the meeting ends of theseat and back sections, and which therefore constitutes thepintle-support for the hinge. Of course this standard could be omittedand the pintle applied diroot to the side 2 of the sofa.

The hinge comprises a pair of plates or leaves, designated as 8 and 9,each of which.

. ing car 13, and at its lower inner corner with angularly-disposedstop-shoulders 14, each of which abuts against the standard 7 when theleaves occupy a horizontal position (see Fig. 2) and the article is inthe bed position. It will be understood that the stop-shoulders and earsare simply struck up or bent from the stock of said metal.

Pivoted, as at 15, to the face of the leaf 8 and preferably within aclip 16, secured to said leaf, is a gravity-latch 17, the free end ofwhich extends across and beyond the opposite or companion leaf 9. Akeeper 18 is spaced from and mounted upon the leaf 9, so as t-oact as aguide for the aforesaid gravitylatch. This keeper is supported by upperand lower pins 19 and 20, respectively, the latter serving to engage,when the leaves are in a certain relative position, with a notch 21,formed in the under side and at the free end of the aforesaidgravity-latch. Pivoted, as at 22, on the outer face of the latch 17,immediately in rear of the notch 21, is aloose gravity dog 23, the freeend of which is notched, as at 24, the latter notch being a slightdistance in advance of the notch 21 of the gravity-latch when the saiddog is substantially parallel with said latch. The dog 23.is limited inits movements by means of suitable stop-pins 25. The upper side of thelatch 17 a slight distance in advance of its pivot-point 15 is providedwith anotch or recess 26, and arranged in the path of the same is thefree end of a gravity lockingpawl 27, that is pivotally supported at itsupper end and above the latch on the leaf 8 by means of a pin 28. Thiscompletes the construction of my improved hinge, and I will now proceedto describe certain improvements that relate more especially to thesofa-frame.

Hinged, as at 29, to the rear edges of the sides 2 is a pair of gates30, the general design of which preferably corresponds to that of thesides 2, so that when the said gates are open or in line with said sides2 they will combine therewith to produce foot and head sections of theconverted bed. The hinges 29 are preferably spring-actuated, so as toexert a constant tendency to close the gates, and therefore'the back ofthe sofa. It will be understood, however, that in lieu ofspring-actuated hinges ordinary hinges may be substituted and springsotherwise arranged independent of the hinges for exerting a tendencytoward closing said gates, if desired. Each gate may be further providedat its inner side with a horizontal cleat 31, the same being in the sameplane as the upper edge of the box 1, and therefore in position toreceive and support the back-section 5 when the latter shall have beenlowered to produce a bed. I may also provide, though it is notabsolutely necessary, a means for temporarily locking the said gates intheir closed position. In the present instance for this purpose I havesecured to the rear of the box 1 a keeper 32, one being located neareach end of the box, and have formed ineach gate an opening 33, in eachof which is pivoted a latch 34. It will be obvious that when .the gatesare closed the latches will engage the keepers, and hence lock thegates. The rear ends or tails of these latches (see Fig. 2*) extendbeyond the rear faces of the gates, whereby access may be had to thelatches for the purpose of conveniently depressing and disconnecting thesame. The back-section 5 near each end may furthermore be provided witha button or pin 35, and in the path of the same and secured to the innerface of each gate may be a wear-plate 36 of segmental shape, againstwhich the aforesaid button is designed to ride when the back-section islowered and the gates spread or open as a result of such action, all aswill hereinafter appear.

As will be inferred, the leaf 8 is by suitable screws secured to the endrail of the seat-section 4 and the leaf 9 similarly secured to the endrail of the back-section 5.

It will of course be understood that the hinge described is duplicatedat the opposite side of the sofa-bed, the two hinges operatingsimultaneously.

Taking the parts in the position shown in Fig. 3, which is that occupiedby them when the back is elevated and the article in position for use asa sofa, as in Fig. 1, with the exception that in said latter figure thegate has been shownopen for the purpose of illustration, it will beobvious that the gravity locking-pawl 27, engaging at its free end inthe recess 26 of the latch 17, successfully prevents any furtherelevation or movement whatsoever of the latch 17 and which would serveto disconnect the notch 21 thereofwith the stud or pin 20. In thismanner it will be obvious that the back and seat sections are securelyand rigidly connected, so that any independent movement of either is anIII absolute impossibility. This is the condition the parts are in whenthe article-of furniture is used as a sofa, and I will now proceed todescribe the operation of converting the said sofa into a bed. For thispurpose it must be considered that the gates 30 are closed and the partsotherwise in the position shown in Fig. 1. The gates having beenunlatched, if latches are used, by a ready application of the toe of theboot to the rear ends of the latches and the sofa withdrawn from thewall a sufficient distance, the front end of the seat is grasped by theoperator and said seat swung upward until it occupies substantially avertical position. This upward movement of the seat, the seat and backbeing locked together, necessarily causes a reverse or downward movementof the back until the latter rests upon the cleats 31. As the back movesdownward the buttons or studs 35, acting against the wear-plates 36,serve to force the gates against the tendency of their springs to anopen position, as shown in Fig. 1, so that, as will be obvious, the backhas been lowered and the gates open all from the. front of the sofa andby a manipulation of the seat-section. In order to aid in this openingof the gates, I may prefer to employ one or more retracting springs 37,connecting the same in suitable eyes that project from the rear of thebox 1 or other base and the back-section frame 5. When the parts havebeen thus operated n pon, it will be observed that the leaf 8 of thehinge has reached a position whereby the lockingpawl27,fallingbygravity, hasswungoutward and away from the recess 26 of thegravitylatch, so that as a result the said leaf 8 and its seat may beswung slightly beyond the vertical, as shown in Fig. 4, and sufficientlyfar to cause the notch 2i of the gravity-latch to recede from the pin orstud 20 and permit of the notch 2% of the dog 23 falling into suchengagement with said pin or stud. It now only remains to lower theseat-section and leaf 8, and in so doing the dog 23 acts as a fulcrumfor the latch 17, elevating the latter, so that its notch 21 will passover the stud 20, and thus permit a'complete lowering of the seat. Theseat and back sections are now in position where they combine to formpractically an unbroken bed-surface, as is usual. To return the parts tothe first position, or, in other Words, convert the bed to a sofa, it issimply necessary to regrasp the seat-section and elevate the same untilthe notch 21 of the latch 17 engages with the pin 20 and to subsequentlylower said seat-section. As the seat-section is lowered the back-sectionis consequently elevated, and the locking-pawl 27, beingheld by thestop-pin 29 in proper relation, reenters at its free end the recess 26of the latch 27, and hence relocks these parts rigidly together. If thegates 30 are springactuated, their closing movements will follow theelevation of the back.

By myinvention it will be seen that I have constructed ahinge in aneconomical manner of sheet metal and wherein all the locking parts arecomprised within the hinge, that the operation of said parts is entirelycaused by a manipulation of the seat-section, and that the seat and backsections are so firmlylocked together that the latter may be utilizedfor pressing open gates hinged at the opposite sides of the sofa-hedframe.

I do not confine my invention to the details herein referred to, buthold that I may vary the same to any degree within the knowledge of theskilled mechanic without sacrificing any of the advantages or departingfrom the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is- 1. Thecombinatiomwith the seat and back of a sofa-bed, of a hinge comprisingopposite leaves connected with the back and seat thereof, a pintle, asupport for the same, means for holding the leaves at a predeterminedangle, and means for locking the holding means against releasing saidleaves prior to a movement in unison of the back and seat.

2. The combination with the seat and back I of a sofa-bed, of a hingecomprising opposite leaves connected with the back and] seat, means forholding the leaves at a predetermined angle, and means for locking theholding means against releasing said leaves prior to a movement inunison of the back and seat and for unlocking said holding means andpermitting such independent movement subsequent to such movement inunison of the said back and seat.

3. The combination with the seat and back of a sofa-bed, of a hingecomprising opposite leaves connected with the back and seat, meanscarried by the leaves for holding the leaves at a predetermined angle,and means for locking the holding means, whereby independent movementprior to a movement of the back and. seat in unison thereof isprevented.

4. The combination with the seat and back of a sofa-bed, of a hingecomprising opposite leaves connected with the back and seat, a latchcarried by one of the leaves and adapted to engage the other leafwhereby the back and seat are held at a predetermined angle againstindependent movement, and means for locking said latch againstdisengagement with said leaf prior to a movement in unison of the backand seat.-

5. The combination with the seat and back of a sofa-bed, of a hingecomprising opposite leaves connected with the back and seat, a latchcarried by one of the leaves and adapted to engage the other leafwhereby the back and seat are held at a predetermined angle againstindependent movement, and means carried by the hinge and adapted to locksaid latch in its holding position when the back and seat are in theirnormal positions as such and to unlock said latch subsequent to araising of the seat and lowering of the back.

6. The combination with the seat and back of a sofa-bed, of a hingecomprising opposite leaves connected with the back and seat, a latchcarried by one of the leaves and adapted to engage the other leafwhereby the back and seat are held at a predetermined angle againstindependent movement, and a gravity-pawl pivoted in rear of the latchand adapted to engage the same when the seat and back occupy theirpositions as such and to automatically release the latch subsequent to alowering of the back and raising of the seat.

7. The combination in a sofa-bed, comprising a seat and back section, ofhinges connecting the same, means forlocking the hinges together duringa raising of the seat and lowering of the back and means for unlockingthe hinges when the back is lowered, a pair of spring-actuated gateshinged to the sofaframe in the path of the back and the coiled springconnecting the back and sofa-frame.

8. The combination with the seat and back of a sofa-bed, of hingestherefor, each comprising a pair of hinge-leaves secured to the seat andback respectively and pivoted together at their inner ends, a latchnotched at its free end and pivoted eccentrically at its opposite end toone of said leaves and adapted to engage a projection on the oppositeleaf, a dog pivoted upon the latch and having a notched end in advanceof the notch of the latch, and a loose pawl eccentrically pivoted on thelatch-carrying leaf, and adapted for automatically engaging said latchwhen the leaves are brought to a predetermined angle and disengaging thesame when in substantially the same plane.

9. In a sofa-bed, the combination with the back and seat thereof, thehinge comprising the opposite pair of leaves having their upper innercorners pivotally connected, one of said leaves being provided beyondits pintle-point with the angularly-disposed stop-shoulder12, and eachof said leaves having at their lower inner corners the angularstop-shoulders 14, the latch 17 pivoted on one of the leaves andterminating in the notched end 21, and provided on its upper edge withthe angular recess 26, the keeper 18 having pins 19 and 20 the latter inthe path of the notch 21, the dog 23 pivoted at 22 to the latch andhaving the free end notched at 24 slightly in advance of the notch 21 ofthe latch, and the loosely-pivoted gravity-pawl 27 pivoted at 28eccentrically upon the latch-carrying leaf, a stop for supporting thesame whereby its free end is maintained in the path of the notch 26 ofthe latch and the standard 7.

10. The combination, in a sofa bed, of hinged back and seat sectionsmounted for movement both as a unit and independently, and aretracting-spring connecting the back and base of the sofa and adaptedto resist the elevation of the back.

11. The combination, in a sofa-bed, com prising a hinged back, of a pairof spring-actuated gates hinged to'the rear opposite sides of thesofa-frame and normally closed, wearplates mounted on the gates, andstuds carried by the back and adapted to ride over said wear-plates.

12. The combination, in a sofa-bed, comprising a hinged back,ofspring-actuated gates hinged to the sides of the frame in the path ofthe back and adapted to be opened by a lowering of the latter, and aspring for normally drawing the back downward.

13. The combination, in a sofa-bed, comprising a seat and back section,of hinges connecting the same, means forlocking the hinges togetherduring a raising of the seat and low eringof the back and for unlockingthe hinges when the back is lowered, and a pair of spring actuated gateshinged to the sofaframe in the path of the back.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

THEODORE G. WEYER.

Witnesses:

RALPH D. MILLER, REGINA LEDERER.

